Fact-check unit needed to protect people from fake news: Centre in Bombay HC
- A petition has been filed challenging Rule 3(1)(b)(v) of Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules.
Highlights:
- Rule 3(1)(b)(v) empowers the government to establish a fact-check unit (FCU) to identify fake, false, and misleading information about its business on social media.
- Defending the FCU, the Union government, said it will prevent people from false information.
- Right to know and the right to not be misled are equally important as the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a).
- Many State governments have FCU, such as Kerala and Uttarakhand.
- Even private firms have FCU, including news organisations who partner with intermediaries to flag false information.
- The Solicitor-General also mentioned how the U.S. suffered during the pandemic with misinformation and fake news being spread on social media.
- The petitioners concluded their arguments contending that the purpose of the FCU was to bring total state censorship on anything that the government does not want people to know, discuss, debate, or question.
- The petitioners have contended that this will have a chilling effect as intermediaries will take things down out of fear.
Prelims Takeaway
- FCU
- Article 19